Albert Johanneson made 200 appearances for Leeds United after arriving in England from Apartheid South Africa in 1961. This Saturday, English football will remember the first black player to appear in an FA Cup final.
The Black Flash —
Albert Johanneson made 200 appearances for Leeds United after arriving in England from Apartheid South Africa in 1961. This Saturday, English football will remember the first black player to appear in an FA Cup final.
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Johanneson helped Leeds win the Second Division title in 1964, scoring 15 goals from the wing. His pace and trickery bamboozled defenders and won him plenty of admirers.
Leeds legend —
Johanneson helped Leeds win the Second Division title in 1964, scoring 15 goals from the wing. His pace and trickery bamboozled defenders and won him plenty of admirers.
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Johanneson struggled to adapt to life in England after escaping Apartheid. He found it difficult to reconcile that he could sit at the front of restaurants and share baths with his white teammates.
On the ball —
Johanneson struggled to adapt to life in England after escaping Apartheid. He found it difficult to reconcile that he could sit at the front of restaurants and share baths with his white teammates.
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Johanneson married Norma and had two daughters, Yvonne and Alicia. Yvonne speaks fondly of her time living in Leeds and the local community. She still describes herself as a "Yorkshire Lass."
Father figure —
Johanneson married Norma and had two daughters, Yvonne and Alicia. Yvonne speaks fondly of her time living in Leeds and the local community. She still describes herself as a "Yorkshire Lass."
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Johanneson's career was curtailed by a succession of injuries and he eventually left Leeds to join Fourth Division side York City. His battle with alcoholism began to have an effect with his family leaving him for Jamaica and eventually the U.S.
Injury problems —
Johanneson's career was curtailed by a succession of injuries and he eventually left Leeds to join Fourth Division side York City. His battle with alcoholism began to have an effect with his family leaving him for Jamaica and eventually the U.S.
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Johanneson played in the 1965 FA Cup final where Leeds suffered a 2-1 defeat by Liverpool. He was the first black player to appear in the final in the competition's history.
Cup final day —
Johanneson played in the 1965 FA Cup final where Leeds suffered a 2-1 defeat by Liverpool. He was the first black player to appear in the final in the competition's history.
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